The Duke of Ed is a leading global youth development program, providing opportunities for young Australians aged 14-24 to fulfil their personal passions and ambitions, and to connect with other people in their community.
Taking part in the Award is a life-changing experience, empowering young Australians to learn new skills, get physically active, be rewarded through volunteering and discover a sense of adventure outside the classroom. Regardless of background and circumstances, Participants will be able to take on self-directed learning based on their individual ability and accomplish goals at their own pace. Every Participant’s Award journey is different, and they have control over how, when and where their journey will take them.
Benefits of participating in the Award
The Award’s non-formal education framework helps young people develop their skills, attitudes and practical experiences to become socially responsible members of the community. Participants will become equipped to make the most of future personal, educational, and professional opportunities.
Through the Award’s focus on personal development, collaboration with adult Award volunteers and engagement with others in the community, some of the skills you can expect to develop include:
- Presentation and communication skills
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Perseverance and resilience
- Creativity and adaptability
- Time management
- Planning, problem-solving and decision making to achieve your goals
Other benefits of the Award include:
- Experience a sense of adventure and learn outside the classroom
- Adapt the Award to suit your interests, passions and ambitions
- Be recognised for your extracurricular and sporting activities
- Develop important team building skills
- Gain employability skills and make your applications stand out
- Foster creativity and innovation
- Award recognised for adjustment factor ATAR points (bonus points) at some universities
- Meet new people and have fun
- Global Award recognised in more than 130 countries
- Learn important life skills to become #WorldReady
How the Award works
The Duke of Ed Award has three regular Sections – Voluntary Service, Skills and Physical Recreation, plus the Adventurous Journeys. For the Gold Award there is an additional Gold Residential Project
The Office of Sport has partnered with various organisations to assist Participants in meeting their Award requirements. Check out our various partner organisations here, to see how and where to complete the Award Sections.
A great way to complete regular Sections is with sporting clubs. Beyond playing a sport you can learn to umpire and officiate or volunteer for positions on and off the pitch. Talk to your local club or one of our Duke 4Sport partners about their opportunities.
Check out the overview and examples for each Section below and discover how you can adapt the Award to suit your passions.
Award Sections
Voluntary Service is all about getting involved and giving back to the community. Through this Section, you will develop an understanding of the impact you can have within your local and wider community.
Examples of Voluntary Service:
- Umpiring and officiating
- Coaching/tutoring
- Sport and community groups
- Emergency Services (SES / RFS)
- Community club canteen / BBQ
- Animal care (RSPCA / WIRES)
- Environmental care
- Fundraising
- Youth Leadership
The Physical Recreation Section of the Award encourages young people to get involved in sport and other physical recreation. This Section focuses on developing healthy habits to improve your overall health, fitness, and wellbeing.
Examples of Physical Recreation:
- Training and playing sport
- Gym or fitness training
- Dancing / Yoga
- Motorcycling / Karting
- Running / jogging
- Cycling
- Bushwalking / hiking
- Rowing / kayaking
- Martial arts
The Skills Section of the Award fosters creativity and the development of personal interests and practical skills. You can take part in an activity that improves your existing skills or a new interest.
Examples of Skills:
- Sport game scoring
- Languages including Auslan
- Photography
- Cultural activities and traditions
- Coding
- Digital media production
- Music
- Sewing and cooking
- Meditation / mindfulness
The Adventurous Journey Section creates a spirit of adventure and discovery while undertaking a team journey in an unfamiliar environment.
For more information on the Adventurous Journey section, click here.
As part of the Gold Award there is an additional Section called the Gold Residential Project. You can complete this section at one of our 10 Sport and Recreation Centres that offer a one to five-day program for school children during the school holidays. Volunteering for our Holiday Camp programs contribute towards personal development and relationship building skills as well as goal-setting and conquering challenges.
Key Steps in the Award Process
View the resources page and download our roadmaps to get started:
- Talk to your Award Leader and parent/guardian about participating in the Award
- Plan your regular Section activities
- Find regular Section activity Assessors
- Receive parent/guardian consent and payment
- Register your interest on the Online Record Book
- Wait for registration approval from your Award Leader
- Set-up your activities in the ORB
- Wait for activity approval from your Award Leader
- Log your hours in the ORB
- Complete an Adventurous Journey
- Review your Award against requirements
- Await final assessment and sign-off
- Receive your badge and certificate
Where can I do my Award?
Find an Award Centre near you and start a conversation with the Award Leader.
Alternatively, you can register through one of the NSW Open Award Centres (AOC) listed below. AOC operate through virtual and in-person engagement sessions and are a great solution for young people who are unable to access a local Award Centre.